Senate To partner Russian In Developing Nigeria’s Oil And Gas

The Senate said on Thursday that it had began talks with Russian oil and gas companies for partnership to develop Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Disclosing this in an interview with newsmen in St. Petersburg, Russia, Chairman, Senate Committee on Oil and Gas, Sen. Bassey Akpan, said it was time Nigeria sought support to further develop the sector. Akpan is part of President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki’s delegation to the 137th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Russia, who met with the oil firms. He said; “You are aware we are working on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and I can confirm to you that they are very much interested in partnering Nigeria as regards development of oil and gas.” Russia’s major oil and gas firms include Gazprom, Rosneft and Lukoil.

Sen. Tayo Alasoadura, also said from discussions with the companies, there was hope that in the near future, there would be a boost in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. He said; “We have been trying to see how we can get the Russians to do business with Nigeria. We discussed opportunities that are available in oil and gas, solar, agriculture and energy with them.” On his part, Sen. Kabiru Marafa, added; “The meetings were quite fruitful and we are looking for how we can partner them to provide gas for power and not gas for export. We are working with them to know how we can use our gas reserves in that direction.”